Brush fire burns 5 acres in Vista

VISTA —— A brush fire that broke out in rural Vista on Friday
afternoon burned about 5 acres, but spared nearby homes and
residents, firefighters said Friday.

Crews from the California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection and Vista, San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe and Carlsbad fire
departments responded to the midafternoon blaze off Buena Creek
Road.

The fire, which burned for about 45 minutes, was reported at
about 1:20 p.m., said Vista Battalion Chief Kent Norton.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation by CDF and
Vista fire officials Friday afternoon, though Norton said the
investigators had found a likely point of origin.

He declined to say what the point of origin was.

The flames, which broke out in a small, brushy canyon between
Freda's Hill Road and Sugarbush Drive, crept toward a home near the
1200 block of Sugarbush Drive, but no evacuations were needed,
Norton said. The fire was quickly brought under control by the
agencies, which responded with about 10 engines, two airplanes and
a helicopter.

Friday's breezy and dry 80-degree weather could have put nearby
homes and residents in danger had the structures not been cleared
of weeds and dry brush, said Vista firefighter Ned VanderPol.

"It's all about defensible space around your home," VanderPol
said. "We recommend 100 feet of good brush-clearing around a
house."